Litao Mai, our friend in Maplewood and out first Chinese teacher, suggested North Capital Mensch and was quite offended that I didn’t list her suggestion. It doesn’t have quite the same zing as Fu man Jew, though. I think it might in Mandarin. She picked right up on the general vibe of things around here, though:No recognition on my suggestions on your column on your blog? My feelings are hurt. Heh heh heh…

Meanwhile, Delaware Dave can’t get on blogspot from work. The hospital must be taking blocking cues from the Great Firewall of China.

He comes out firing, though, with lots of inside jokes, Tom Waits references and more. Read all the way to the bottom. you don’t want to miss Dum dum eats Dim Sum. Consider switching to decaf, Dave.

OK I feel compelled to chime in. Christiana has 86’d your blog spot from my internet access as of late. Back on today for some reason. Since I’m chiming in late I’ll try and outdo everyone with volume:

China Doll (wake up your)China PalaceChina GroveChina GrooveFine ChinaChinese AlgebraChina SyndromeHarder than Chinese AlgebraChinese CheckersGeneral Al’s ChickenChopsticks and Pen LicksFrom Hot Licks to ChopsticksOriental RamblingsA Fat Man on the MainlandMeanderings from the MainlandSoaking up the SojournFrom Yinz to YangsFrom Yinz to Yao. How I grew up in Squirrel Hill but raised my kids in ChinaHoops, Hops and Hotels: 3years on the roadIn search of Yoa Ming. How to make your head ring.Walls, Stalls, and Balls. In search of the real ChinaIn the shadow of the wall, an american’s view of ChinaLo mein, Yoa Ming, and High Main- Living as a Jew in ChinaAin’t no Chinese Take out hereAn Occidental mind-meanderings of a western journalist in an eastern worldAl in Asia or All in AsiaEuthanasia, Anesthesia and Al in AsiaTuesday Morning Football.Ramblings of a Steeler Fan in BejingFootball with breakfast and other tales from the eastBack in BejingDum Dum eats Dim SumThoughts from the pagoda

Amy writes:

If we cant have The Return of Fat Al then I vote for any of Dave Wells, even tho it’s not a vote.I was trying to come up with something while walking the dog this morning. Everything I came up with sounded like a Graham Greene novel. Which upon further reflection and research, make some pretty cool suggestions.To wit (my coments in parens) his partial bibliography. Now just dont’ tell me he’s some kind of crazy nazi guy, too.1925 Babbling April. (“Babbling Al”?)1929 The Man Within. (catchy!)1930 The Name of Action. (yup) London:Heinemann; New York:Doubleday1931 Rumour at Nightfall. London:Heinemann; New York:Doubleday1932 Stamboul Train. London:Heinemann;1932 Orient Express (un-huh. I think I”m gonna win!) New York:Doubleday1934 It’s a Battlefield. London:Heinemann; New York:Doubleday1934 The Old School. London: Jonathan Cape1935 England Made Me (Pittsburgh Made Me?) London:Heinemann; New York:Doubleday1935 The Bear Fell Free. London: Grayson1936 Journey Without Maps. (THis would be great) London:Heinemann; New York:Doubleday1936 A Gun For Sale. (nope.) London:Heinemann; This Gun for Hire New York:Doubleday1939 The Lawless Roads. London:Heinemann; New York: Viking Press1939 The Confidential Agent.(Your mom would flip out with this one) London:Heinemann; New York: Viking Press1940 The Power and the Glory. (uh-huh) London:Heinemann; The Labyrinthine Ways New York: Viking Press1946 The Little Train. London: Eyre and Spottiswoode; New York: Lothrop, Lee and Shepard1947 Nineteen Stories. London:Heinemann; New York: Viking Press1948 The Heart of the Matter. London:Heinemann; New York: Viking Press1948 Why do I Write? (This has lept to the top o’the list) London: Percival Marshall; New York: British Book Centre1950 The Third Man. London:Heinemann; New York: Viking Press1950 The Fallen Idol. London:Heinemann; New York: Viking1951 The Lost Childhood and Other Essays. London: Eyre and Spottiswoode; New York: Viking Press1951 The End of the Affair. London:Heinemann; New York: Viking Press1953 The Living Room. London:Heinemann; New York: Viking Press1955 The Quiet American. London:Heinemann; New York: Viking Press1957 The Spy’s Bedside Book London: Rupert Hart-Davis1958 Our Man in Havana. (obviously. duh) London:Heinemann; New York: Viking Press1959 The Complaisant Lover. (we’ll let BB nix this) London:Heinemann; New York: Viking Press1961 A Burnt-Out Case. (yup). London:Heinemann; New York: Viking Press1961 In Search of a Character: Two African Journals. London: Bodley Head; New York: Viking Press1963 A Sense of Reality. London: Bodley Head; New York: Viking Press1967 May We Borrow Your Husband? And Other Comedies of the Sexual Life. London: Bodley Head; New York: Viking 1969 Collected Essays. London: Bodley Head; New York: Viking Press1969 Travels with My Aunt. London: Bodley Head; New York: Viking Press1971 A Sort Of Life. London: Bodley Head; New York: Simon and Shuster1973 The Honorary Consul. London: Bodley Head; New York: Simon and Schuster1974 Lord Rochester’s Monkey. London: Bodley Head; New York: Viking Press1978 The Human Factor. London: Bodley Head; New York: Simon & Schuster1980 Ways of Escape. London: Bodley Head; New York: Simon & Schuster1983 Yes and No. London: Bodley Head;1984 Getting to Know the General: The Story of an Involvement. London: Bodley Head; New York: Simon & Schuster1985 The Tenth Man. London: Bodley Head and Anthony Blond; New York: Simon & Schuster1992 A World of My Own. London: Reinhardt Books dream diary

I was reading DP’s list and laughed so loud and so hard that I just woke Dave upin the next room! Can I change my vote? Definately, Dum Dum eats Dim Sum – I’m still howling!He certainly gets my vote for the FUNNIEST suggestions.